Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Gray skies are depressing! We are in our second week of gray skies with periodic showers interspersed by more rainy periods some days. I don't deal well with gloom. Next week looks like it could be a continuation. Massachusetts is not usually like this for such a long stretch of time, but the sunny hot days in late May and early June were earlier than usual as well.

We might go to Newport RI regardless as it is supposed to be dry today at least. Hard to get enthused and make plans though.

I will stop grousing now. Have a safe and healthy Tuesday!

I completely understand about the grey days. We've had summers like that, with below normal temps and it just saps the life from me. This year Minneapolis is putting on a show. The weather has been incredible. Today is also sunny, and will be warm, but not super humid. BFF and I are going to the beach.

I have to send DH back to work after a 4 day weekend.I can't wait until he is retired and can play all summer. Current plan is for him to retire next spring, and then he will work part-time when I'm working, and not work when I'm off.

We went kayaking for 5 hours yesterday. My arms were really sore afterwards, but not too bad this morning. I drowned some more Japanese beetles, so that was satisfying.

My daughter and husband are planning a big 60th birthday party for me on August 7th. (We'll be in Massachusetts on my actual birthday). The part where the yes and no responses start to trickle in make me anxious. Does anyone ever plan a party without thinking: nobody is going to come?

Everyone will want to come! When and where will you be in Massachusetts?

We are arriving Monday, July 26, and driving to Rockport,MA and will be at a B and B for 2 nights. My 60th birthday is the 27th. We actually looked at the Cape for BD celebration, but decided on Cape Anne because there are also some family things going on, and we thought it would be better if we stayed on the mainland. Also, it was more affordable. On Wednesday and Thursday we are staying at our favorite B and B, my Aunt's house in Ipswich. It was built in the 1600 hundreds, and is incredibly, beautifully restored. Then on Friday we are turning in our rental car and meeting up with friends and family for a wedding weekend. We're staying in something called the Yotel, not fancy, but close to the wedding venue, and where a large group of the guests will be. I would love to meet up with you, but I don't want to ask you to have to come into Boston for a cup of coffee! I know we will head out to the Cape on another trip, because with DD returning to Boston, we will be in Massachusetts more frequently. But if you would happen to be in the Boston area July 31, August 1 or 2, (we leave Monday afternoon)...

Gloomy, drippy, and fogged in here again! Grrr. I love a little of it, but a little sun mixed in would be nice. I feel bad for the families who booked their vacations here the last month.

We have mulberry trees in our yard that drop tons of berries in July. The deer LOVE them! I counted 12 last night at once from spotted babies and their mommas to young bucks with velvety antlers. So long as they leave my flowers alone, we're good.

I'm trying to make better food choices, winning some days, losing others. I've been walking when the weather allows. I weeded with my dad for an hour yesterday, which seemed like good exercise.

Not much else going on here... Hope you're all well!

Yes, the gloomy days are even harder on vacationers than those of us who know they will still be here when the sun comes out.

Good food choices? Needed here as well!

I grew up in the SF Bay Area so every summer was spent with coastal fog rolling in in the evening and sticking around most of the morning until it "burned off" for the afternoon. I HATE foggy summers. I am really in the perfect climate for me. It's one of the reasons that I think I will likely stay put after retirement, though I like to think of moving to a more rural area.

I am home from the shows. I had a great weekend. My breeding program was well represented and dogs of my breeding did really well. 4 out of 4 days my dogs won "winners dog" earning 3 major wins. My girl Dinah was "winners *****" 2 of the days earning two major wins (to earn an AKC championship a dog must have 2 "major" wins). Also, one of my other girls who doesn't live with me was "reserve winners *****" the day of our specialty, which is like first runner up in the Miss America pageant. Even my little tantrum throwing squirrel, Lulu, did okay. Dinah was paid the highest of compliments yesterday, too. One of the other exhibitors who is a breeder and and AKC judge asked if Dinah had finished her championship yesterday. When I answered no, my friend replied, "Damn it! I hoped she'd be out of the way now!"

Though I enjoyed food and was not overly careful with my food choices, I did not over indulge over the long 5 days of shows. Stepped on the scale for the reckoning this morning and was pleased to see I continued to drop over the show week. Down an additional 2 pounds.

Construction is reaching completion. Have to start creating the "punch list". I will take some pics and post on TT as things get cleaned up and look presentable. I'm trying to imagine how nice it will look once it is all planted.

I have a full afternoon, but am enjoying a relaxing morning.

I wish I had your energy with the dog shows and home improvements! A productive summer for you so far!